0 to say something to someone, often giving them information or instructions -- 讲述，说；告诉
[ + two objects ] Can you tell me how to get to the library? 请问去图书馆怎么走？
[ + obj + (that) ] Did you tell anyone (that) you were coming to see me? 你有没有跟任何人说起要来看我？
[ + obj + speech ] "I'm leaving you," she told him. “我要离开你，”她跟他说。
[ + obj + to infinitive ] I told her to go home. 我叫她回家。
formal He told us of his extraordinary childhood. 他给我们讲述了他不寻常的童年。
I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help (= I am extremely grateful). 我对你的帮助感激不尽。
She's always telling lies. 她老是说谎。
Your classmates won't trust you if you're always telling tales, Alvin. 阿尔文，如果你老是打小报告，你的同学会不信任你的。
To tell (you) the truth, I didn't understand a word of what he was saying. 说实话，他说的我一点儿也听不懂。
1 to know, recognize, or be certain -- 知道；辨别；确定
"He's Dutch." "How can you tell?" “他是荷兰人。”“你怎么知道？”
[ + (that) ] I could tell (that) you were unhappy. 我看得出你当时很不高兴。
What does the survey tell us about the lives of teenagers? 这次调查给我们提供了有关青少年生活的什么信息？
This coffee is about half the price of that one and yet you really can't tell the difference. 这种咖啡的价格差不多是那种的一半，而你根本分辨不出它们有什么不同。
At the fair, there was a lady who told your fortune. 集市上有一个算命的女人。
There is no telling what the future will hold for them. 不知道他们的未来会怎么样。
Who knows what will happen to Peter and me in the future - you can never tell. 谁知道彼得和我将来会怎么样呢——谁也无法预料。
2 to have an effect -- 产生效果，产生影响
They wouldn't tell me how they had got my address.
No-one told me she was ill.
I could tell from her expression that something serious had happened.
You can tell it's autumn because the leaves have started to fall.
